Rohan's barb
Dawkinsia rohani
Also known as Rohan's filament barb, Rohan's tear-spot barb
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–79°F (21–26°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal (160 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Tamiraparani basin, Tamil Nadu, India
- Family
- Cyprinidae
Overview
A large peaceful barb with real presence, and one of the better big schooling fish for a community. Keep six or more in a 160 liter tank with open swimming length; males duel by raising extended dorsal filaments at each other and settle it without damage. It is hearty and eats anything, so feed flake, granules and frozen foods generously. Cooler-leaning water suits it better than tropical warmth.
In the wild
Dawkinsia rohani comes from the Tamiraparani basin in Tamil Nadu, southern India, in clear flowing streams. Keep it at 21 to 26 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with moderate current and open water.
Good to know
Dawkinsia rohani reaches about 10 centimeters. The genus Dawkinsia, named for Richard Dawkins, holds the filament barbs of southern India and Sri Lanka, all of which develop extended dorsal fin rays in mature males. It is an egg scatterer that does not guard its eggs.
Did you know
Its namesake Pethiyagoda also has the genus Pethia named for him; some careers get written into fish twice.
Tank mates
Rohan's barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Longstripe loach
Nemacheilus longistriatusFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Clown gagata catfish
Gagata dolichonemaFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Kerala garra
Garra surendranathaniiFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Gangetic scissortail rasbora
Rasbora rasboraFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Desert rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida tateiFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)64–86°F (18–30°C)Malabar baril
Opsarius malabaricusFreshwater4.3 in (11 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Rohan's barb need?
A Rohan's barb needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Rohan's barb need?
Rohan's barb are comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Rohan's barb get?
An adult Rohan's barb reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Do Rohan's barb need a group?
Yes. Rohan's barb are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Barbs, danios & rasboras · Schooling fish · Community fish
Keeping Rohan's barb?
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Related species
Arulius barb
Dawkinsia aruliusFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)37 gal (140 L)66–77°F (19–25°C)
Ruby-tinted barb
Dawkinsia rubrotinctaFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Tambraparni barb
Dawkinsia tambraparnieiFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Apsara barb
Dawkinsia apsaraFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Exclamation barb
Dawkinsia exclamatioFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Mascara Barb
Dawkinsia assimilisFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)66–77°F (19–25°C)